Chic and Slimming: The Versatility of Black & White

Nothing's better than clothes that fit. Scratch that- nothing's better than clothes that fit modestly.

A great white button down shirt is a necessity in your closet because it can be worn with almost anything, and it's so versatile for all seasons! Need I say more? I got this one from H&M for $19.99. It's fitted around the bust and mid-section, so it works great for women who are tinier on top and have a pretty straight figure like me. If you are blessed in the chest, you may have to go up a size but that's okay because tucking it into a pencil skirt like this will hide the extra material; just make sure you fold the shirt over and safety-pin it back so it stays in place. If you button your shirt and the spaces between the buttons spread apart, it means it's too small on you! Don't be that person! Do yourself a favor and buy the right size shirt.

My skirt is a wool/cotton blend and I bought it last fall at Banana Republic. It looks grey in the photo but it's more of a beige color. It's really high wasted, but it gives me a nice silhouette. Wool skirts are usually only allowed to be worn in winter, but since it is a cotton blend, it works for almost any season.

Sidetrack real quick: I NEVER ever pay full price for anything! Most of the things in my closet I've gotten from outlets. This skirt for instance, retail went for around $80, I paid $23 for it at the Tanger outlet mall in Howell Michigan.

Okay, I know you're wondering where I got my amazing shoes from!

I bought them for a wedding a few years ago at DSW. They were a little more pricey, but since they are a solid black shoe with a great flourish, they add just the right amount of spice to any black and white outfit.

To finish the outfit, I added a chunky pearl necklace. Pick between either a big necklace or big earrings- NOT both. Feel free to go a little crazy on the colors, you don't have to stick to the same color of your shirt, and try not to be too matchy.

Rules for my black & white business/evening look:

- Find a great white shirt that fits! Slim fits are always better if you plan on wearing them with high waisted pants or a skirt.
- It's okay to go a little crazy with your shoes when wearing a plain black and white outfit
- When choosing accessories, choose big earrings, or a chunky necklace

Rules About Ruffles

I'm not sure what it is about redheads and the color green. I feel Irish today, oh wait- that's because I am Irish . . .

I wore this dress on my 21st birthday- I bought it at a little boutique right under the office I work in, in Washington, D.C. It was a little more pricey because it's J.Crew, but it had never been worn, (still had the price tag on it) and it's 100% silk (for those of you who are a material junky like me, fabric is important to you!). It was originally $120 but I paid less than half of that! Gotta love secondhand shopping! Fake it till you make it right?

Since it's a little more on the fancy side, heels are a must! But don't go too crazy because the color of the dress is already pretty loud. Just a simple pair of nude colored pumps is all you need.

Stay away from necklaces when you wear ruffles on top. You don't want to draw too much attention to your chest.  Big earrings are okay, but I wouldn't suggest wearing them while you're in the office- save them for a party or an event where it's okay to stand out. Find a thick, cuff bracelet with accents of the color of your dress to finish your look off instead!

You can also pair this with a neutral cardi on chilly days.

Some things to remember!

1. Don't go crazy with jewelry if you're wearing ruffles on top!
2. Stick with a nude pump when wearing bright colored dresses.
3. Don't wear a flat shoe with a silky dress like this one- keep it classy and be impressive by wearing pumps. They make your legs look much longer!

Because Every Girl Needs a Neutral Dress

May I just say that this is by far one of my most favorite dresses I own. (Please excuse the bright orange strap of my purse, that's not part of it!).

I payed about $30 for this dress at JC Penney's of all places! Sometimes you can find really inexpensive and professional looking things in their juniors' department.

It's a great dress because it can be worn in fall, spring and summer and it's very versatile and classy. I've worn it to a wedding, on a few dates and even to church!

The top is my favorite- it's got a fun neckline and the belt comes off in case you want to spice it up and give it a little personality. Underneath the sheer polk-a-dot skirt are layers of tool to give it body. I'm 5'6'' and dresses usually hit me mid-thigh, but this one comes about two inches above my knees which is the perfect length for any occasion.

Neutral dresses like this one are essential to your closet because you can wear them with just about any color or style of shoe. I usually wear my red flats with this, but I have also paired it with my chestnut riding boots and a cropped jean jacket to give it a more autumn feel.


So, some quick things to remember when trying on dresses!: A good, neutral dress is a classy piece of clothing that will never go out of style. If your hem line is more than the length of a credit card above your knees, it's not appropriate to wear in a business setting. If your dress has more than two patterns, keep your accessories to a minimum.